{"id":487286,"date":"2026-02-24T08:27:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T08:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/487286\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T08:27:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T08:27:10","slug":"2026-nfl-draft-cbs-sports-shakes-up-mock-draft-complete-first-round-predictions-ahead-of-nfl-combine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/487286\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NFL Draft: CBS Sports shakes up mock draft, complete first round predictions ahead of NFL Combine"},"content":{"rendered":"

CBS Sports analyst Blake Brockermeyer<\/a> has released his latest first-round mock draft<\/a> ahead of the 2026 NFL Combine. In the process, he\u2019s reshuffling his board as the pre-draft process ramps up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Indianapolis looming, team needs and prospect momentum are already beginning to shift. One major name absent from this year\u2019s projections is Oregon<\/a> quarterback Dante Moore<\/a>, who opted to return to school rather than enter the draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His decision has created added intrigue at the top, where the Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in Brockermeyer\u2019s mock. In this latest projection, Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza<\/a> headlines the class, landing with the Raiders as a potential franchise cornerstone.\u00a0Check it out below.<\/p>\n

A phenomenal season for the Heisman winner. Mendoza threw for 3,349 yards and 41 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He\u2019ll be the first quarterback taken in April after leading Indiana to a national title.<\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cThe Raiders are on the clock and need help across the board, but quarterback is the first order of business. Fernando Mendoza capped an impressive season with a national championship in Indiana\u2019s RPO-based offense and a strong postseason run that showcased his consistency and clutch throws in gotta-have-it moments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ArvellBirm\/Lettermen Row<\/p>\n

Reese spent three seasons at Ohio State, playing in a total of 36 games. During that time, he had 112 career sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, and 7.0 sacks. He would also defend two passes.<\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cOhio State\u2019s Reese is a nice piece for a franchise with plenty of holes to fill, offering the versatility to play in the box as well as rush off the edge. He brings elite twitch and instincts, along with the size and length to hold up in multiple spots across the defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Offensive line will be at a premium, per usual in the NFL Draft. Evidently, CBS believes Mauigoa is the best of the bunch. No matter if he\u2019s protecting Kyler Murray or someone else.<\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cThe Cardinals could upgrade at right tackle, and Mauigoa excelled during the Hurricanes\u2019 playoff run while serving as a model of consistency over the past two seasons. He\u2019s thickly built with excellent power and moves defenders at will in the run game. Mauigoa is above average in pass protection, showing good technique and the feet to get to his spot and play in space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bain was one of the more feared pass-rushers in all of college football this past season, and for good reason. Miller has moved him firmly inside his top five after a campaign where he amassed 64 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 68 pressures, eight run stops, one forced fumble and one interception.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cBain was as dominant a defensive lineman as we\u2019ve seen since Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama. He brings elite power in both phases and wins as an excellent technician with his hands, beating opponents with physicality or finesse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"USA Today<\/p>\n

With John Harbaugh in charge, it\u2019s time to start protecting the quarterback better in New York. That\u2019ll be Jaxson Dart in 2026. Fano is a great choice to help his development, and keep the team\u2019s offensive line humming.<\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cFano plays with good technique, has excellent feet and shows the ability to play both tackle spots. He didn\u2019t allow a sack this season and surrendered only six hurries. \u2026 Fano would step in at right tackle, giving the Giants another piece to protect Jaxson Dart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tate is the next in a long line of star Ohio State wide receivers to be drafted in the first round. The Browns have plenty of holes on offense, so the rookie could hit the ground running in 2026 as the first pick of Todd Monken\u2019s regime in Cleveland.<\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cYou have to believe the Browns will use free agency and multiple picks to upgrade an aging offensive line. \u2026 Tate is a dependable, trustworthy receiver with strong hands who moves the chains and gives Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders a weapon to help jumpstart the offense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bailey spent the first three seasons of his college career at\u00a0Stanford. Then, ahead of his fourth and final college season, he transferred to Texas Tech, becoming an All-American with 19.5 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks. For his career, Bailey had 163 total tackles, 42.0 tackles for a loss, and 29.0 sacks.<\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cBailey is a natural pass rusher who wins with speed off the edge and shows exceptional quickness in condensed spaces. He\u2019s a dynamic player who can wreck a game and has slightly improved his run defense this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Arizona(Arianna Grainey | Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

The Saints could go a variety of different ways in Round 1. Many have thought running back might be an option here, but getting one of the top wide receivers in the draft in Tyson wouldn\u2019t be a bad way to handle things either. <\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cTyson tracks the ball exceptionally well in the air and shows great contact balance after the catch to maximize YAC. He has the long speed to beat press coverage and the ability to thrive in the middle of the field and in the red zone.\u201d <\/p>\n

Faulk tore up the SEC, and the Chiefs need to shore up their defense if they\u2019re going to make a run at another Super Bowl. He\u2019ll help in a big way against three solid quarterbacks in the AFC West.<\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cFaulk has ideal size and length, along with the ability to rush from anywhere along the defensive front. His stats don\u2019t tell the full story given the attention he drew, but he still finished with 30 hurries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some may scoff at a safety being drafted this high, but this isn\u2019t any ordinary safety. Downs has been a tremendous defensive back for both Alabama and Ohio State, and he seems like a sure-fire NFL star.<\/p>\n

Brockermeyer: \u201cThe Bengals defense, especially the back end, had a rough season, but help is on the way. A high-IQ leader and alpha presence, he excels in both phases. He can erase tight ends, holds up as a run defender in the box and tackles well in space.\u201d<\/p>\n

11. Miami Dolphins: CB\u00a0Mansoor Delane<\/a>,\u00a0LSU<\/a>\u00a0
12. Dallas Cowboys: RB\u00a0Jeremiyah Love<\/a>,\u00a0Notre Dame<\/a>
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): QB\u00a0Ty Simpson<\/a>,\u00a0Alabama<\/a>
14. Baltimore Ravens: WR\u00a0Makai Lemon<\/a>,\u00a0USC<\/a>
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB\u00a0Sonny Styles<\/a>,\u00a0Ohio State<\/a>
16. New York Jets (via IND): DT\u00a0Lee Hunter<\/a>,\u00a0Texas Tech<\/a>
17. Detroit Lions: OT\u00a0Monroe Freeling<\/a>,\u00a0Georgia<\/a>
18. Minnesota Vikings: CB\u00a0Jermod McCoy<\/a>,\u00a0Tennessee<\/a>
19. Carolina Panthers: DT\u00a0Kayden McDonald<\/a>,\u00a0Ohio State<\/a>
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): LB\u00a0CJ Allen<\/a>,\u00a0Georgia<\/a>
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT\u00a0Kadyn Proctor<\/a>,\u00a0Alabama<\/a>
22. Los Angeles Chargers: G\u00a0Vega Ioane<\/a>,\u00a0Penn State<\/a>
23. Philadelphia Eagles: WR\u00a0Zachariah Branch<\/a>,\u00a0Georgia<\/a>
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): EDGE\u00a0Cashius Howell<\/a>,\u00a0Texas A&M<\/a>
25. Chicago Bears: EDGE\u00a0Zion Young<\/a>,\u00a0Missouri<\/a>
26. Buffalo Bills: WR\u00a0KC Concepcion<\/a>,\u00a0Texas A&M<\/a>
27. San Francisco 49ers: DT\u00a0Peter Woods<\/a>,\u00a0Clemson<\/a>
28. Houston Texans: TE\u00a0Kenyon Sadiq<\/a>,\u00a0Oregon<\/a>
29. Los Angeles Rams: OT\u00a0Caleb Lomu<\/a>,\u00a0Utah<\/a>
30. Denver Broncos: WR\u00a0Denzel Boston<\/a>,\u00a0Washington<\/a>
31. New England Patriots: DE\u00a0Akheem Mesidor<\/a>,\u00a0Miami<\/a>
32. Seattle Seahawks: WR Chris Brazzell II<\/a>, Tennessee<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CBS Sports analyst Blake Brockermeyer has released his latest first-round mock draft ahead of the 2026 NFL Combine.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":487287,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[174547,127886,126779,179248,42973,126780,53005,42152,127887,175512,7314,399,175231,139553,179249,175237,175238,175240,216826,179250,175243,174555,127110,175247,211754,398,396,397,175251,126786,42169,175254,99,53934,175258,42994,211729],"class_list":{"0":"post-487286","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-football","8":"tag-akheem-mesidor-20-clearwater-academy-international","9":"tag-arvell-reese-23-glenville","10":"tag-caleb-downs-23-mill-creek","11":"tag-caleb-lomu-23-highland","12":"tag-carnell-tate-23-img-academy","13":"tag-cashius-howell-21-rockhurst","14":"tag-chris-brazzell-ii-22-midland-christian","15":"tag-cj-allen-23-lamar-county-comprehensive","16":"tag-david-bailey-22-mater-dei","17":"tag-denzel-boston-22-emerald-ridge","18":"tag-fernando-mendoza-22-columbus","19":"tag-football","20":"tag-francis-mauigoa-23-img-academy","21":"tag-jeremiyah-love-23-christian-brothers-college","22":"tag-jermod-mccoy-23-whitehouse","23":"tag-jordyn-tyson-22-independence","24":"tag-kadyn-proctor-23-southeast-polk","25":"tag-kayden-mcdonald-23-north-gwinnett","26":"tag-kc-concepcion-23-chambers","27":"tag-keldric-faulk-23-highland-home","28":"tag-kenyon-sadiq-23-skyline-senior","29":"tag-lee-hunter-21-blount","30":"tag-makai-lemon-23-los-alamitos","31":"tag-mansoor-delane-22-archbishop-spalding","32":"tag-monroe-freeling-23-oceanside-collegiate-academy","33":"tag-ncaa","34":"tag-ncaa-football","35":"tag-ncaafootball","36":"tag-peter-woods-23-thompson","37":"tag-rueben-bain-23-miami-central","38":"tag-sonny-styles-22-pickerington-central","39":"tag-spencer-fano-23-timpview","40":"tag-sports","41":"tag-ty-simpson-22-westview","42":"tag-vega-ioane-22-graham-kapowsin","43":"tag-zachariah-branch-23-bishop-gorman","44":"tag-zion-young-22-westlake"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/487286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=487286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/487286\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/487287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=487286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=487286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=487286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}